Dream's Shadow

Summary:
This is my take on the over- and usually poorly- done plot. Edward leaves Bella again. She is changed and they meet again in the future. There will be a big twist! Requested by Iris. Banner by Iris!

Notes:
Try it! I know stories like this usually stink, but I thought I'd give it a try. I own nothing. Stephenie Meyer owns all.

33. Chapter 33

“Listen to me, you damn leeches. Bella is not with Edward. He doesn’t love her. He never did. Bella and I are married. Would you like to see my ring?”

Jake’s voice is soft, warm, and ridiculous. He can’t believe this. It is as ludicrous as the suggestion I left Edward.

“This isn’t the issue, dog. We’re here for revenge.”

“What do you need revenge for?”

“Our dead mates and hopes, respectively. If you are willing to sacrifice yourself and your pack for Bella, then Irena will simply deal with you… though Edward will still have me to contend with. Are you willing to make that sacrifice?”

I don’t even understand the conversation, so I listen. Is Jacob trying to convince them I am no longer a threat to Tanya? How’d he get here? What about Aliene?

I don’t get it.

“No. No… I love her… but I can’t. I just beg you. Have a little decency. Good-bye.”

I hear Jacob’s heavy footfalls. The door creaks open and falls closed.

The vampires bicker, loud enough for only my hearing.

Tanya’s voice is attractive. “He has a point.”

Jane’s is even more sparkling. “He’s a dog.”

“But they’re practically family. Look, Irena, if you want to keep going with this, I’ll back you up. If Bella’s with the dogs now, I don’t see any reason to keep fighting for myself… for Edward. I guess I should find a better way to deal with rejection.”

“Tanya…”

“No, Kate. She’s right. It’s time for us to grow up,” says a male voice that is not Alec’s. I assume it is Carmen’s mate, Eleazer.

“We can’t be punishing a man for having too much self-control to be tempted. We can’t kill our closest friends because I’ve got hurt feelings. You’re right.”

It seems my powers shan’t be needed at all. That is pleasing. I hope nothing more goes wrong. Of course, it does. That is just the way life works, isn’t it. Is there no such thing as rest for the weary? I grimace at the next words.

Jane speaks cruelly, harshly. “The rest of the world already thinks you’re fools! Will you let these Cullens taunt you like this? Do you cherish yourselves and your mates so little you’ll let them die unpunished?”

“She has a point. Sisters, I’ve been with many men, but Laurent is the only one I’ve ever been meant to be with. It was even stronger than what I feel for you, my own dear family. Please, let me revenge my love.”

“All right. We’re back on.”

There are murmurs of agreement.

“That mutt-loving secret-telling Edward first?” Alec proposes coolly.

And it is too much. I can’t sit here. This can’t happen. I can’t let it slip away. I can’t watch Jake walk away, having risked his life for me, probably out of guilt. I can’t let Edward be hurt. Before I can protest, a syllable escapes.